Innovation Hat-Trick for IUST; Secures 4-Star Rating for Third Consecutive Year
06/10/2026
Awantipora, October 06(KIP)-The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) has once again demonstrated its strong institutional commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship and start-up development by securing a 4-Star Rating in the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) Rankings 2024–25 of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India.
The result, announced recently, marks the third consecutive year that IUST has achieved the 4-Star Rating, reaffirming the University’s sustained performance in fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across its academic ecosystem. IUST had secured a 3.5-Star Rating in 2021–22, followed by 4-Star Ratings in 2022–23, 2023–24 and 2024–25.
Prof. Shakil A. Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST, appreciated the collective efforts of faculty members and all stakeholders who contributed to the University’s performance during the year. He congratulated CIED Director and his team for their sustained efforts in strengthening the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. “At IUST, innovation is increasingly becoming an integral part of the academic culture, connecting ideas with incubation and innovations to find solutions for real-world problems” Prof. Romshoo said.
Significantly, 4 Stars is the highest rating awarded in the current cycle, with more than 8,500 institutions participating from across the country. IUST is also among only three institutions in Jammu and Kashmir to receive the 4-Star Rating in the current cycle, placing the University among the leading institutions in the region in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The achievement assumes added significance as the IIC performance framework has evolved and its assessment parameters have been progressively strengthened over the years, making it increasingly challenging for institutions to sustain their rating. IUST has nevertheless maintained its 4-Star status through consistent engagement and performance across the prescribed parameters.
During the IIC calendar year, institutions were required to undertake 58 mandated activities. Against this benchmark, IUST submitted more than 120 activities, including over 60 self-driven initiatives, reflecting the University's proactive approach towards creating opportunities for innovation, ideation, entrepreneurship and experiential learning.
The University's performance was assessed across a range of indicators, including ideas, innovations and start-ups submitted on the YUKTI platform; participation in the Smart India Hackathon; the number and engagement of Innovation Ambassadors; intellectual property rights filed and granted; mentoring and innovation-related activities, among other parameters. The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) framework was established by the Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Education to systematically promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among higher education institutions. Under the framework, institutions are assessed annually on the basis of their innovation and entrepreneurship-related activities and outcomes.